THE BEAST

Photo credit: Metal Dave Media

Heavy metal titans DOWN have officially kicked off the recording process for their long-awaited new album — the band’s first full-length release in over a decade. On Wednesday, July 9, guitarists Pepper Keenan and Kirk Windstein entered OCD Recording in Metairie, Louisiana, marking a pivotal moment in what promises to be one of the most anticipated comebacks in modern metal history.

Fans eager for a taste of what’s to come are in luck — a preview video has surfaced showing Keenan and Windstein tracking guitars for one of the new songs, giving us a raw glimpse into the heavy, blues-soaked sonic assault the band is known for. A collection of behind-the-scenes studio photos also provides a look into the recording sessions, showcasing the band hard at work channeling the swampy, sludge-laden magic that only DOWN can conjure.

The lineup — featuring Philip H. Anselmo on vocals, Pepper Keenan and Kirk Windstein on guitars, Jimmy Bower on drums, and Pat Bruders on bass — recently announced their official signing to Nuclear Blast Records, setting the stage for a massive return.

From the moment a DOWN track starts, there’s no mistaking their signature sound: gargantuan riffs, southern-fried leads, crushing rhythms, and Anselmo’s unmistakable howl — all wrapped in that unmistakable New Orleans grit. While their individual legacies span legendary acts like PANTERA, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, CROWBAR, and EYEHATEGOD, it’s when these five come together that something truly primal takes form.

Since first lighting up the underground with 1995’s platinum-certified debut NOLA, DOWN has built a discography steeped in doom, groove, and raw southern power. Each release — from Down II: A Bustle In Your Hedgerow to Down IV – Part Two — added layers to their legacy, all while preserving the unrelenting spirit that made them an underground cult phenomenon. Their legendary live performances, including runs with METALLICA, HEAVEN & HELL, and festival stops at Ozzfest, Download, and Soundwave, have only solidified their status as heavy music icons.

As the band stokes the fire on what’s shaping up to be a seismic new chapter, fans can expect nothing less than pure, passionate, soul-shaking heavy metal — the kind only DOWN can deliver.

Stay tuned for more updates as the sessions unfold, and in the meantime, check out the first official studio teaser video and images now — the ritual has begun.